Delaware, the Colonial Athletic Association's preseason favorite, closed in on the right to host the league championship with the win. The Blue Hens improved to 21-5 overall and 10-1 in CAA action. VCU, which entered the match as the CAA's second place team, slipped to 10-18 overall and 8-4 in league play.

Hott hit .429 and was one of few offensive bright spots for the Rams. She committed just one hitting error in 21 attempts.

Delaware, which swept the season series with VCU, received 11 kills from Kim Stewart, as well as 10 apiece by Katie Dennehy and Alissa Alker. Blue Hens' libero Greta Gibbony was a source of frustration all night for the Rams and was credited with 26 digs.

The Rams were playing catch-up most of the evening and didn't grab their first lead until the third set. VCU raced to a 13-9 advantage in the third following a kill by Hott. The Blue Hens rallied to tie the match at 13-all behind a pair of Alker service aces. The teams then traded points until Frey blasted a kill that gave the Rams a 22-21 lead. VCU would not score again.

Stewart tied the score with her 11th kill of the night, and a ball handling error gave Delaware a 23-22 edge. Dennehy and Paige Erickson finished off the match with back-to-back kills off assists from 2009 CAA Setter of the Year Jess Chason.

The Rams will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 6 when they host Towson in CAA action at the Siegel Center at 7 p.m.